Display lamp



April 1968 F. D. BLANCH, JR., ET AL 3,377,478

DI SPLAY LAMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1966 INVENTORS. FEEDER/CK .D. BLANCH JR.

E. HANNULA AT TO RNEYS p 1968 F. D. BLA-NCH, JR. ET AL 3,377,478

DI SPLAY LAMP Filed March 28. 1966 2 SheetsSheet 2' {11111, I I 'IIIIIIIIIIIII4 I II.

INVENTORS. FREDERICK .D. BLANCH JR P UL E. HANNULA AT TORNEYS United States Patent 3,377,478 DISPLAY LAMP Frederick D. Blanch, Jr., and Paul E. Hannula, Minneapolis, Minn, assiguors to 3D Studios, Inc., Minneapolis, Mind, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 537,867 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-36) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display lamp for advertisements and the like including a pliable hollow cylindrical shade constructed from light transmitting material, a relatively stiif elongated spine extending the length of the shade along one side thereof and two end members imparting a desired shape to said shade with openings through the end members and the shade adapted to receive a mounting bracket in a variety of positions thereon to mount the lamp in a variety of positions or on a variety of objects.

This invention pertains to a lamp to be utilized in displays for advertisement and the like and more particularly to a lamp in which the shape can be altered to fulfill various advertisement needs.

In the advertisement field it is generally desirable to have displays illuminated to attract attention. As basic requirements these displays should be relatively inexpensive and, if possible, should be easily adaptable to different forms so that a standard lamp can be utilized for a great variety of displays. The more versatile a lamp is the more valuable it is to the advertisement field.

The present invention includes a lamp of use as an illuminated display device in the advertisement field, which lamp has a pliable lens that may be easily and cheaply adapted to a variety of forms by simply inserting different shaped end members. In addition, the lamp includes a mounting bracket which can be attached to either end or the bottom thereof and will mount the lamp in a great variety of positions, such as on top of a pole, on the side of a pole, on a wall, on a ceiling, etc. In addition to being highly versatile, the present lamp can be packaged in kit form for easy storing or shipping and can be quickly and easily assembled when and where it is to be used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved display lamp.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a standard or basic lamp which can be easily altered to conform to the needs of various advertisements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lamp which can be stored or shipped in kit form and quickly and easily assembled when needed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display lamp which is highly versatile and relatively inexpensive.

These and other object of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims, and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIGS. 1-4 are plan views in blank of the various components in one embodiment of the display lamp;

FIGS. 5-7 are views in perspective illustrating amethod of assembly of the display lamp;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views in perspective illustrating different methods of securing the lamp to .various objects;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 1010 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from line 1111 in FIG. 9.

In the figures the numeral 10 generally designates a hollow cylindrical shade which is constructed of a pliable material that transmits light therethrough. A blank 10 of the shade 10 is illustrated in top plan in FIG. 2 wherein the sheet of material making the shade 10 is substantially rectangularly shaped. It should be understood however that in some instances it might be desirable to vary the shape of this blank 10 in some detail, such as to form slightly diiferent ends on the cylindrical shade and all of these Variations come within the scope of this invention. The blank 10 for the shade 10 has two ends 11 and 12 which should be generally parallel and, therefore, the blank 10' should be at least trapezoidially shaped and in most instances will be rectangularly shaped.

Adjacent either edge of the end 11, which is located at the lower side of the blank 10' in FIG. 1, are semicircularly shaped tabs 13 which extend outwardly from the end 11 and are spaced a short distance therefrom by a slightly narrower or necked-down portion 14. A pair of slots 15 are cut in the shade 10 adjacent the end 12 at distances from either edge thereof approximately equal to the distances of the tabs 13 from the edges of the end 11. A portion of each of the slots 15 has a length approximately equal to the diameter of the semi-circular tabs 13 while a second portion 16 has approximately the same length as the narrower portion 14 of the tabs 13. Thus, the blank 10' can be formed into a cylinder with the tabs 13 engaged in the slots 15 so that the narrower portion 14 lies in the shorter portion 16 of the slot 15 thereby firmly locking the blank 10 into the cylindrical position.

A semi-circular notch 17 is cut in the blank 10' at approximately the center of the end 11. A second notch 18, which is somewhat greater than semi-circular, is cut in the blank 10' at approximately the center of the end 12 so that notches 17 and 18 overlap to form a substantially circular opening through the shade 10 when the blank 10 is formed into a cylinder. A pair of substantially rectangular shaped slots 19 are cut in the blank 10' adjacent the end 11 so that a slot 19 is positioned between each of the tabs 13 and the notch 17 but spaced from the end 11. In a similar fashion a pair of substantially rectangular shaped slots 20 are cut in the blank 10 adjacent the end 12 between the slots 15 and the notch 18 but spaced from the end 12. In addition, a pair of substantially rectangular shaped slots 21 are cut adjacent either outside edge of the shade 10 midway between the ends 11 and 12. The purpose of the slots 19, 20 and 21 as well as the opening formed by the combined notches 17 and 18 will be dc scribed in more detail presently.

FIG. 1 illustrates a blank of an elongated spine 25 having substantially similar end members 26 and 27 integrally attached at either end thereof. It should be understood that it is not necessary for the end members 26 and 27 to be an integral portion of the elongated spine 25 and they are simply illustrated in that fashion in this embodiment for simplicity. The blank of the elongated spine 25 and end members 26 and 27 is constructed of some inexpensive, easily formed material, such as cardboard, or the like. The elongated spine 25 is substantially rectangular shaped with the distance between the end members 26 and 27 somewhat shorter than the length of the assembled cylindrical shade 10. A circular opening 28 having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the opening formed by the notches 17 and 18 in the shade 10 is located approximately centrally in the elongated spine 25. Four rectangularly shaped slots 29 are spaced about the circular opening 28 in the spine 29 so that they correspond to the slots 19 and 20 in the shade 10 when the circular opening 28 is axially aligned with the opening in the shade 10 formed by the notches 17 and 18. The spine 25 has score lines 32 adjacent either edge thereof extending longitudinally therealong so that the edge may be folded upwardly as will be illustrated presently.

Each of the end members 26 and 27 are generally triangularly shaped with the base thereof adjacent the ends of the spine 25 and the apex extending outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the spine 25. All of the angles or corners of the end members 26 and 27 are rounded for reasons which will become apparent presently. A small tab 30 extends outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the spine 25 from the apex of each of the end members 26 and 27. Each of the end members 26 and 27 has a plurality of cross-shaped openings therein which are positioned to form a pleasing design while affording ventilation to the assembly. Four of the cross-shaped openings designated 31 in each of the end members 26 and 27 are positioned so that portions of the openings form rectangular slots spaced apart in a fashion similar to the rectangular slots 29 in the spine 25.

Referring to FIGS. and 6 the method of assembling the spine 25 and end members 26 and 27 within shade 10 is illustrated. In FIG. 5 the blank 10 for shade 10 is formed into a cylinder. The shade 10 is then locked in position by inserting the tabs 13 in the slots 15 and sliding the narrower portions 14 into the narrower portions 16 of the slot 15. The spine with the end members 26 and 27 forming an integral portion thereof is inserted into the cylinder and a light fitting consisting of a cylindrical socket 35 with a cord 36 attached thereto is placed in the opening 28 in the spine 25 with the cord 36 passing out: wardly through the opening in the shade 10 formed from the notches 17 and 18. A relatively thick, resilient washer 37 is stretched over the end of the cylindrical socket 35 nearest an incandescent lamp 38 engaged therein. The washer 37 prevents the socket 35 from being pulled through the opening 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 the small tabs on the outer ends of each of the end members 26 and 27 are placed in the small rectangular slots 21 in the shade 10. Using a small tab 39, which may be the portion removed from the slot 18 in the blank 10, the end member 27 is gently forced into coaxial alignment with the shade 10 by applying a steady inward pressure therein and simultaneously circumscribing the end member 27 with the tab 39 forced between the shade 10 and the end member 27. As the end member 27 is forced into coaxial alignment the spine 25 is moved into the shade 10 until the opening 28 is in alignment with the opening formed by notches 17 and 18 in the shade 10. Also, the end member 26 is moved into coaxial alignment with the shade 10 and the opening 28 is coaxially aligned with the socket allowing its engagement therein. A second washer 37, similar to washer 37, is stretched over the socket 35 on the outside of the shade 10 to prevent the socket 35 from being pushed therein. Once both end members 26 and 27 are in coaxial alignment with the shade 10, the ends of the cylinder are closed and the entire shade 10 is distorted to conform to the shape of end members 26 and 27. Fortions of the spine 25 are bent upwardly along score lines 32 so that the general shape thereof conforms to the lower portions of the shade 10 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Once the spine 25 and the end members 26 and 27 are assembled in the shade 10 a mounting bracket, generally designated 40, may be attached thereto in a variety of ways to mount the lamp on a desired object. The mounting bracket 40 is constructed from some material which is easily cut and formed into the desired shape, such as cardboard, etc. A blank of the mounting bracket 40 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The blank of the mounting bracket 40 has a basically rectangular shape the left and right sides of which are designated 41 and 42, respectively, and the upper and lower sides being designated 43 and 44, respectively. The extreme corners of the-rectangular portion are truncated so that the edges form an angle with the sides 41 or 42 of approximately 30. A pair of score lines and 46 extend from the side 41 to the side 42 and 4 the line 45 is spaced from the upper side 43 the same distance as the score line 46 is spaced from the lower side 44. The distance between the score lines 45 and 46 is slightly greater than the width of the spine 25, however,

this width is only a comparison and is'in no way critical to the lamp. Four score lines 47-50 are made approximately parallel to the edges of the truncated corners and extend from the two points where the score line 45 terminates in the sides 41 and 42 upwardly to the upper side 43 and the two points where the score line 46 terminates in the sides 41 and 42 downwardly to the lower side 44. Each of the score lines 47-50 has a rectangular shaped slot 47 -50 associated therewith. Each of the slots 47-50 have one elongated edge bordering on a score line 47-50, respectively, and the remainder of each of the slots 47'- 50' is disposed toward the outer edge or the truncated corners of the blank.

The portion of the blank between the score lines 45 and 46, which is designated 55,has triangularly shaped portions 56 and 57 fixedly attached along score lines 56' and 57 at the left and right ends thereof, respectively. The score lines 56' and 57' are approximately the same length as the width of the portion 55 and serve as the.

base of the triangularly shaped portions 56 and 57. The upper and lower sides of the portion 56 are designated 60 and 61, respectively, and the upper and lower sides of the triangular shaped portion 57 are designated 62 and 63, respectively. The tips of the triangularly shaped portions 56 and 57 are truncated so that the sides 60-63 are approximately the same length as the score lines 47-50. Each of the sides 60-63 of the triangularly shaped portions 56 and 57 has a tab 64-67 respectively extending outwardly therefrom. The tabs 64-67 are located so that when the blank 40 is folded as illustrated in FIG. 7 they each engage a slot 47-50' to hold the entire blank in the assembled position.

Two L-shaped tabs 70 and 71 extend outwardly from the side 43 and two L-shaped tabs 72 and 73 extend outwardly in a similar fashion from the side 44. The tabs 70-73 are spaced so that they may be inserted into the rectangular shaped slots 31 in either of the end members 26 and 27 or the slots 29 in the spine 25. In addition, one arm of each of the tabs 7(l-73 extend in the same direction substantially parallel to the sides 43 or 44 so that four hooks are formed and once they are inserted into the slots 29 or 31 the mounting bracket 40 is moved so that the parallel arm portion of 7 each of the tabs 70-73 overlies a portion of the spine 25, or the end members 26 and 27, thereby .firmly' affixing the mounting bracket 40 to the lamp. Each of the triangularly shaped portions 56 and 57 of the mounting bracket 40 has a cross-shaped slot 75 and 76 respectively cut therein for decoration and the slot 75 communicates with the truncated edge of the triangularly shaped portion 56 by a cut 77. The cut 77 and the slot 75 provide means whereby the cord 36 may be externally extended through the mount ing bracket 40.

The mounting bracket 40 serves as a base for the lamp and may be utilized to simply set the lamp on a counter or other prominent place for display or attach the lamp to a wall, ceiling, etc. Whenthe tabs 70-73 are inserted in the slots 29 in the spine 25 the-longitudinal axis of the shade 10 is parallel to the portion 55 of the mounting bracket 40 and the apex of the end members 26 and 27 extends outwardly therefrom, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10. When the tabs 70-73 are inserted in the slots 31 of either of the end members 26 or 27 the longitudinal axis of the shade 10 is perpendicular to the portion 55 of the mounting bracket 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, and the apex may extend in either direction. In all of the "various ways that the mounting bracket 40 can be connected to the lamp, some of which are illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, the mounting bracket 40 can be simply set on a counter, attached to the wall,,or attached to the ceiling in any convenient manner, or the lamp can be attached to a display pole 80 as illustrated in FIGS. 811.

When the lamp is to be attached to a display pole 80 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11 a pair of tabs 81 and 82, forming part of the portion 55 of mounting bracket 49, are adapted to swing outwardly therefrom along a score line so as to be positioned generally perpendicular to the portion 55 and spaced apart in a parallel relationship. Each of the tabs 81 and 82 has an opening formed therein adapted to receive an object such as pole 80 therethrough. When the lamp is set on top of a pole 80 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and the mounting bracket 40 has an insert 85 placed therein. Insert 85 has a generally rectangular shaped portion 86 at the center thereof with trapezoidal portions 87 and 88 integrally attached to the upper and lower edges thereof, The insert 85 has score lines 89 and 90 between the portions 86 and 87 and the portions 86 and 88, respectively. The rectangular shaped portion 86 has an opening 91 therethrough which is approximately the same size as the openings through the tabs 81 and 82. Also, when the portions 87 and 88 are bent downwardly along the score lines 89 and 90 respectively the opening 91 is axially aligned with and spaced from the opening 81, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Therefore, the insert 85 adds additional support to the mounting bracket 40 when the lamp is mounted at the top of the pole 80 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10.

The tab 82 has a small opening 95 at the right end thereof, in FIG. 3, which opening 95 may be engaged with some device, such as a nail, screw, etc., to mount the lamp on a vertical wall or similar object. As an alternative small adhesive pads, not shown, may be attached to the lower surface of the portion 55 so that the lamp can be readily fastened to a ceiling, wall, etc. If it is desired the lamp may be simply placed on a shelf, counter, or the like using the mounting bracket 40 as a stand. In all of the above described modes of utilizing the lamp the shade 10 may be positioned with its longitudinal axis' either vertical or horizontal and the apex of the end members 26 and 27 may be directed in either direction. Also, besides placing ads and the like on the shade 10 it may be desirable to suspend additional material from the ends of the shade 10 or the end members 26 and 27.

Thus, the present lamp can be easily stored or shipped in the blank forms illustrated in FIGS. 14 and once the intended user has the blanks he can easily assemble them into a highly versatile lamp. The various components of the lamp are inexpensive and the shape of the lamp can easily be changed by simply changing the form of the end members 26 and 27. Also, there are a great variety of Ways in which the lamp can be mounted utilizing the mounting bracket 40.

While we have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understod, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular form shown and we intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A lamp to be utilized in advertisement and the like comprising:

(a) a light source fitting adapted to be attached to a suitable source of energization;

(b) a pliable, hollow cylindrical shade formed from a light transmitting material and having means associated therewith for maintaining said light source fitting in a fixed relationship with respect to said shade;

(c) a relatively stiff elongated spine positioned in juxtaposition to said shade for imparting rigidity to said shade along its longitudinal axis;

(d) two end members formed of relatively stiff material and positioned at either end of said spine within said shade for imparting a desired shape to said shade;

(e) a plurality of openings through said two end members and through said shade and spine combined; and

(f) mounting bracket means fixedly engaged in a predetermined set of said openings for mounting said lamp in a plurality of different positions.

2. A lamp substantially as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shade is formed from a blank shaped substantially like a trapezoid and the ends of said trapezoid overlap when formed into a cylinder and form an opening in which the light source fitting is retained and wherein the spine is positioned within the shade so as to overlie the overlapping ends, said spine further having an opening therein axially aligned with the opening in said shade.

3. A lamp substantially as set forth in claim2 wherein the light source fitting includes a socket fitted in the openings in the shade and the spine so that a light source engaged therein is positioned within said shade and the means associated with the shade includes a pair of resilient washers fitted over said socket inside and outside of said shade for maintaining said light source fitting in a fixed relationship within said shade.

4. A kit for constructing a lamp to be utilized in advertisement or the like comprising:

(a) a light source fitting adapted to be attached to a suitable source of energization;

(b) a pliable, hollow cylindrical shade formed from a substantially trapezoidal shaped blank of light transmitting material the ends of which are adapted to be joined in an overlapping relationship, said shade having an opening therethrough adjacent said joined ends for receiving said light source fitting therein;

(c) an elongated spine formed of relatively stifi material somewhat shorter than said shade and adapted to overlie said joined ends of said shade, said spine having an opening therein in axial alignment with said opening in said shad when said spine is correctly positioned relative to said shade;

(d) means associated with said openings in said shade and said spine and adapted to maintain said light source fitting in a fixed relationship within said shade;

(e) two end members adapted to be positioned at either end of said spine within said shade for imparting a desired shape to said shade; and

(f) a mounting bracket adapted to be connected to said lamp in a variety of positions for attaching said lamp to a variety of objects.

References ited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,022,601 11/1935 McDonald 217-3 3,225,476 12/1965 Bockmann 240-108 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,806 4/1911 France.

- NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

W. M. FRYE, RICHARD M. SHEER,

Assistant Examiners, 

